Freezer evaporator



Nov. 11, 1941. L. A. M. PHELAN FREEZER EVAPORATOR 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5,

//Yt/N7'OQ A 00/54. M. PHEL Ah .5) K ATTO/Q/Y Nov. 11, 1941. LA. M. PH'ELAN 2,262,590.

FREEZER EVAPORATOR Filed June 5, 1940' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lou/5AM PHEM/Y ArrokeMfV Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES] PATENT "OFFICE FREEZER EVAPORATOR Louis A. M. Phelan, Rockton, Ill. Application June 5, 1940, Serial No. 338,841

13 Claims. Y (01. 62-126) The present invention relates to evaporators which consists of two cylinders, one within, the other, forming an annular refrigerant chamber, the cylinders being closed at'their rear ends by spaced walls, so as to provide a refrigerant space, at the rear end of the device, which is operatively connected to the annular chamber. The front end of the inner cylinder is provided with an outwardly extending flange of novel shape to which the front endof the outer cylinder is, l0 welded so as to form a complete closure for the refrigerant.

Generally stated, the objects of my invention are to simplify and improve the efiiciency of devices of the class.

In devices of the class, the material to be frozen is placed in a mixing chamber formed by the annular chamber, the closed rear end and an end plate. After the mix has been properly stirred and frozen, it may be served direct from. the freezer over the counter for immediate consumption, or it may be placed in containers which are then placed in a cabinet for hardening, or immediate dispensing.

Because of the nature of ice cream, and the like, when serving direct from the counter freezer, it is the practice to operate the device for a moment before removing any of the mixture.

An object of the present invention is to reduce. 39 the lag in the refrigerant action when-the device is started and stopped. I accomplish this object by reducing the transverse area of the refrigerant path to thereby reduce the volume of refrigerant in the evaporator to a minimum and thereby .bring about quicker heat transfer and a quick start and stop of the refrigerant action.

An important object of my invention is to provide a device which is formed from sheet steel and in two parts, which are welded together at 40 opposite ends from the exterior and at points which are removed from the interior of the device.

Another object of my invention is to position the welds externally and a distance from the, finished inside working surface of the device; thus to preclude the possibility of warping or roughening these inside surfaces, also to prevent hazard from contamination of the product by faulty welds.

A further object of my invention is to provide partitions which are first secured, preferably, to the outer wall of the inner cylinder before the cylinders are assembled and having means whereby, when the outer cylinder is moved into position over the inner cylinder, the partitions are self-sealing.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a suitable drying chamber at the outlet end of the refrigerant path and having alternately positioned obstructions, whereby, to some extent, the device will operate on the counter heat transfer principle, and the path of the refrigerant is considerably lengthened, thus to furthe increase efficiency.

To these and other useful ends, my invention consists of parts, combinations of parts, or their equivalents, and mode of operation, and method of manufacture, as hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawline 5-5 of Figure 3.

Fig. 6 is a fractional transverse sectional view, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the device, taken on line 1-1 of Figure 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic drawing, illustrating the path taken by the refrigerant, when the device is constructed as illustrated in the various figures.

As thus illustrated, the inner cylinder of my improved device is, in its entirety, designated by reference character A, and the outer cylinder, in its entirety, is designated by reference character B. The end plate for the device is designated, in its entirety, by reference character C. Member A comprises a circular wall 60, having an open front end which is formed into an outwardly and rearwardly curved flange II, the outer edge being formed by a reverse curve as at l2; thus to forma very rigid circular end member, the forward surface of which "may be easily 0 lapped for contact with end plate C as will hereinafter appear.

The other end of member ID is turned inwardly as at 43, and then preferably outwardly, as at M, forming a flange i5, and a rear closure 6 for the device. Flange l5 provides an aperture into after appear.

which ashaft bushingis secured, as will herein.-

Member 3 comprise a cylinder 20-which is somewhat larger in diameter than cylinder III in order to form a relatively narrow annular refrigerantchamber 2|. The front edge of cylinderjl lies" within the ooncavedpart of mem- Y been, as at 22.

The shape of member H, is such as will hold member 20 in a central position when they are.

pressed together, as illustrated. The rear end of member 20 is turned inwardly as at 23, forming a rear. wall 24, having an opening 25 for the reception of the rear end of flange I5.

I provide a number of spaced depressions 26,

' hers I 6 and 24. Thus, it will be seen that when member 20 is pressed ,into position over member ID, depressions 26 may be spot welded to member l6, and the joint between the front end of member 20, and member may bearc welded, as at 29, and thejoint between member and member I weldedas at 30. e ,V a r Clearly, I have provided a novel: evaporator,

, the parts of which; are easily. manufactured and" welded together fromthe outside of. the assembly and in a manner which will not tend .to. warp the material adjacent the welds, but will pro- 7 in member 24, which" are positioned, preferably,

Members D'and E are provided wlthiasealing packing member 36. This packing is preferably: made from synthetic, rubber, or its equivalent,

which is proofed against deterioration, when in contact with various refrigerants. Packing 36 is, preferably made round, having a small opening 31, in its'center, and is pressed in channels 33 before members l6 and ar 'assembled.

When member 20 is pressed over member I6, packing 36 assumes the shape illustrated in Figure 5. That is, it will be somewhat compressed. Thus, clearly, the joint around the partitions will be liquid and gas tight, except at opening 34 and remain so throughout the life of the device.

It will be understood that I may change the position of members D and E, and that, in some installations, I may elect to use one, three or more partitionsinstead of two, as shown in Figure 1.

Clearly if one partition D only is used, member 132 must be positioned on the opposite side of the device or on the same side as member 3|. This position is also necessary in the event three partitions are used, wherein openings 34 will be al- I temated so the refrigerant will pass sinuously around member l6.

It will be noted, in Fi ure 1, that I have shown the front plate C in section, having an inlet 4| and an outlet 42. This plate inlet and outlet'are clearly illustrated in my issued Patent Number 2,243,317, May 27, 1941, Counter freezer. e

The front plate is shown in the present application in order toillustrate how it is made to contact the curved surface of member N, formvide an exceptionally rigid, strong, and light structure.

'I provide a refrigerant inlet connection 3|,

and an outlet connection 32, (see Figure 1), and means for lengthening the travel of the refrigerant and directing it through the passageway as follows: v

I provide,preferably. two partition walls which, I

in their entireties, are designated by reference characters D and E, each comprising a U-shaped channel 33, of a length, which, when bonded to member II), will leavean openingbetween the 7 ends, as at 34, (see Figure 4) chamber or on the side opposite inlet 3|, and the opening in member E is positioned on the of the annular chamber.

It will be seen that the refrigerant, entering at 3|, will travel upwardly, around member ID, through opening 34, in member D, then downwardly around member H1, and through opening 34,.in member E. From whence the refrigerant will travel upwardly, around member ID, and through the space between members I6 and 24, to member 32. j

It will be seen that all of the surface within the evaporator, except the front plate, will be in constant contact with the refrigerant, and that the refrigerant will be caused to move r p 1y. Thus, there will be no dead sluggish spaces within the refrigerant path, and, as th refrigerant passes through the evaporator, it will be bottom I agitated and eventually evaporated into vapor I before it finallyreaches outlet 32.

' is driven by shaft 44, which extends into the members.

It will be seen that the parts which make up my evaporator are easily assembled and that when interior surfaces of the chamber, nor surface II; that when member 20 is pressed over member III,

the curvature of member II will center the front end of member 20; that when the jointsare welded, the structure will be rigid and strong; that the inner surfaces will be left'smooth and normal; that the convex surface provides contact with the front plate and can be readily and easily honed or ground true; and that flange |2.provides a surface suitable'for connection to other parts of the device into which th evaporator is fitted.

In devices of the class, it is customary to rotatably mount the front end of the rotating mixer on front plate C. I provide a projection 43 for this purpose. The other end of the mixing rotor chamber and is rotatably mountedas follows: v

I provide a sleeve 45, having therein a groove 46 for the reception of a sealing ring 41. Driving shaft 44 is squared as at 48, on its inner end, as

illustrated, the squared end being adapted to carry and drive the mixing rotor (not shown). Sleeve 45 is provided with an inner flange 49,

the inner surface of which is undercut as at 50,

edge for contact with member '|6,

at 53, forming a sharp annular surface as at '54.

for contact with member'24, a distance from the electric weld 30, as illustrated.

Thus, when nut 52 is made taut, the weldedv 6 joint 30 is reinforced, sharp edges 5| and'541will will be caused to conform with the surface of these members so as to form a gas and liquid tight joint.

Thus, it will be seen that annular member 28 will act to form a rigid surface for the contacting parts of the sleeve and its nut, and that when the sleeve is drawn in to position by the nut, a strong, simple, eificient, and replaceable bearing is provided for rotatably supporting the shaft.

Having thus shown and described my invention, I claim:

1 An evaporator of the class described, comprising a circular inner cylinder, having an open front end with an outwardlfextending flange and a rear end wall having agcentrally positioned rea-rwardly extending flange forming a relatively sniall aperture, an outer cylinder being somewhat larger than said inner cylinder and having a rear end wall with an opening adapted to embrace the rear-end of said second flange when th front end of said outer cylinder is in contact with said first flange to thereby form an annular chamber and a chamber between said walls, the front end of said outer cylinder and said first flange and the open ing in said outer cylinder wall andsaid second flange being welded together to thereby forma liquid and gas tight chamber, inlet and outlet openings in said outer cylinder and means whereby refrigerant may pass sinuously through said annular and wall chambers.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 including; an annular ring positioned over said aperture flange and adapted to form a spacer between said end walls.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 including; an annular washer positioned over said aperture flange and forming a spacer between said end walls, spaced forwardly extending projections formed in said outer cylinder end wall and being spaced from said annular washer-and adapted to contact said inner cylinder rear wall and being welded there to thereby hold the rear walls in spaced relation and strengthen the'structure.

' 4. An evaporator of the class described, comprising a circular inner cylinder having an open.

front end with an outwardly extending flange and a rear end wall having a centrally positioned rearwardly extending flange forming a relatively small aperture, an outer cylinderbeing somewhat larger in diameter than said first cylinder and having a rear end wall with an opening adapted to embrace the rear end of said second flange to thereby form an annular chamber and an end chamber between said rear walls, the front end of said outer cylinder and said first flange and the opening in saidouter' cylinder rear wall and said second flange being welded together to thereby form a liquid and gas tight inclosure, a refrigerant inlet in said outer cylinder near the forward end thereof and a refrigerant outlet adjacent its rear end, means whereby the refrigerant will be caused to travel sinuously from said inlet to said outlet around said inner. chamber and through the space between said rear walls.

5. An evaporator of the class described, comprising a circular inner cylinder having an open front end with an outwardly and rearwardly extending flange and a rear end wall having a centrally positioned rearwardly extending flange forming a relatively small aperture, an outer cylinder being slightly larger in diameter than saidv first cylinder and having a rear end wall with an opening adapted to embrace the rear end of said partitions positioned between said inlet and outlet connections and within said annular chamber, said partions having alternately positioned openings whereby the refrigerant is caused to travel sinuously around said inner cylinder and through said end chamber.

6. A device as recited in claim 5 including; said partitions comprising channels being bonded to said inner cylinder with their flanges turned outwardly and each having therein an elastic strip adapted to tightly engage said outer cylinder.

"I. An evaporator of the class described, comprising a circular inner cylinder having an open front end with an outwardly reverse curved flange forming a front end convex surface and a rear end wall having a centrally positioned, relatively small, opening; an annular ring positioned on the outside surface of said rear wall adjacent said opening, an outer cylinder being somewhat larger in diameter than said inner cylinder and having arear end wall with an opening registering with said firstopening. and adapted to lie against said ring when the front end of said outer cylinder is in contact with the rear concave surface of said first flange to thereby form an annular chamber and a chamber between said rear walls, the front end of said outer cylinder and said first flange and said rear'wall openings being welded together to thereby form a liquid and gas tight chamber, inlet and outlet openings in said outer cylinder and means whereby refrigerant may pass sinuously through said annular and wall chambers.

8. A device as recited in claim '7 including; forwardly extending depressions in said second cylinder rear wall adapted to contact and be secured to said first cylinder rear wall to thereby form a spacing means therebetween.

9. A device as recited in claim 7 including; a refrigerant inlet in said outer cylinder at one end and a refrigerant outlet in said outer cylinder at the other end, spaced partitions positioned between said inlet and outlet, oppositely positioned openings in said partitions whereby the refrigerant will travel around said inner cylinder sinuously. g

10. An evaporator of the class described, comprising an annular chamber having spaced inlet and outlet connections, two or more partitions in said chamber positioned in spaced relation between said inlet and outlet connections and comprising channels, the bases of which are secured to one of the walls of said annular chamber, an elasticband positioned in said channels and being adapted to tightly and yieldingly contact the other wall of said chamber, said partitions and bands having portions removed to thereby provide passageways, said passageways being alternately positioned to thereby form two sinuous passages through the annular chamber..

11. An evaporator of the class described, comrearwardly extending flange forming a relatively small aperture, an outer cylinder being somewhat larger than said inner cylinder and having a rear end wall with an opening adapted to embrace the rear end of said second flange when the front end of said outer cylinder is in contact with said first flange to thereby form an annular chamber and a chamber between said walls, the

front end of said outer cylinder and said first flange and the opening in said outer cylinder rear end wall and said second flange being welded together to thereby form a liquid and gas tight chamher, art annular ring positioned over said aperture flange and adapted to form a spacer between said 1 .rear end walls, a collar snugly fitted" into said aperture and having a flange at one end and a nut at the other end, said flange and nut being adapted to engage'said rear walls on a horizontal plane to said annular ring when said nut is made taut, inlet and outlet openings in said outer cylinder and means whereby refrigerant may pass sinuously through said annular and wall chambers.

12. A device of the class described, comprising whereby liquid or vapor passing from saidinlet to said outlet will be caused to travel through said annular chamber sinuously.

13. A device as recited in claim 12 including; said partition comprising a channel, the base of whichis secured to the wall of one of said cylinders an elastic band in said channel adapted to tightly contact the wall of theother cylinder.

' J LOUIS A. M, PHELAN. 

